University of Leicester and ONS sign strategic partnership to improve research
Professor Kamlesh Khunti
The University of Leicester and the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to drive forward groundbreaking health research.
This strategic partnership aims to build upon and strengthen the productive collaboration established between the two organisations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The MoU will allow both institutions to take a proactive approach to identifying policy-driven health research questions and delivering these at pace based on their shared expertise and resources.
In addition, the partnership will allow them to share resources and combine complementary, nationally recognised expertise across partner organisations.
Both organisations will also be able to respond swiftly to funding calls based on their expertise and resources within the partnership.
Professor Kamlesh Khunti CBE, a Professor of Primary Care Diabetes and Vascular Medicine at the University of Leicester and the Co-Director of the Leicester Diabetes Centre, said: “Today marks a significant milestone in our commitment to advancing health research.
“The signing of this MoU between the University of Leicester and the ONS is a testament to the power of collaboration.”
He added: “By combining the ONS's vast data resources with our cutting-edge research expertise, we are poised to uncover new insights that will transform our understanding of public health.
“This partnership will enable us to tackle some of the most pressing health challenges facing our communities, driving innovation and improving outcomes for future generations.”
National Statistician, Sir Ian Diamond, said: “When the ONS and the University of Leicester first started collaborating during the COVID-19 pandemic, it quickly became clear how our shared expertise and research were critical in responding to health challenges at that time, which is why I’m thrilled to be signing this strategic partnership.
“As we look ahead, with new but equally important challenges in front of us, our joint research will be just as valuable.”
He added: “I look forward to continuing to collaborate with the University on policy-driven research that will benefit the public through better insight and understanding of the health of the nation.”
Leicester’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Nishan Canagarajah, said: “This MoU is testament to the hard work that has already taken place by colleagues at the University and ONS, but will further strengthen the collaboration between us and ensure that our pioneering health research continues for the benefit of all.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of Leicester and the ONS formed a crucial partnership to investigate the ethnic disparities in COVID-19 health outcomes and vaccination uptake in England.
This collaboration was part of a broader effort to understand the varying impacts of the pandemic on different communities, particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds, who were disproportionately affected by the virus in terms of health outcomes and access to vaccination.
The partnership has since grown, and they have co-developed a non-pandemic related programme of research. Currently, several joint projects are in progress, with a total value exceeding £2 million.
Professor Khunti said: “Working with the ONS during the pandemic enabled us to identify key factors contributing to these disparities, providing evidence that shaped public health responses and policy decisions.
“Beyond COVID-19, our ongoing research has shed light on the broader impact of the pandemic on health inequalities, reaffirming the need for a data-driven approach to addressing disparities and ensuring equitable healthcare for all communities.”
A MoU is a nonbinding agreement that states each party's intentions to take action, conduct a business transaction, or form a new partnership.
This type of agreement may also be referred to as a letter of intent (LOI) or memorandum of agreement (MOA).
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The ONS is the UK's largest independent producer of official statistics. Its main responsibilities are collecting, analysing and disseminating statistics about the UK's economy, society and population.